New Senate GOP leader faces demand for change

The next Senate Republican to lead the GOP has big shoes to fill and even bigger demands from colleagues aligned with Donald Trump. But first, you should know:

• House Republicans are eyeing a stopgap funding bill into March to give Trump early influence over federal spending.
• The House freshman class is here, and we highlight the first 10 you should be watching.
• We’ve got the comprehensive guide to Donald Trump’s day-one agenda, from taxes to tariffs.

McConnell Replacements Face Demands for Change

Senate Republicans will gather for a forum tonight to hear from all three candidates vying for majority leader ahead of a secret-ballot election Wednesday morning.

The three GOP contenders, Sens. John Thune (S.D.), John Cornyn (Texas), and Rick Scott (Fla.), will use the forum as a last chance to outline their platforms to the whole caucus that they’ve largely pitched one-on-one to senators. The forum will be held behind closed doors with only senators and staff attending.

Growing Demands: These senators, who are vying to replace GOP leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) face growing demands to change the way the chamber operates, injecting additional turmoil into the race that will shape what legislation the new Congress moves, Zach C. Cohen reports. Read More

The Senate Republican conference looks to be set at 53, with the race in Arizona called for Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego. But one GOP senator, Florida’s Marco Rubio, may be leaving for a post in Foggy Bottom. Read more

Read BGOV’S Congress Tracker for our breakdown of lawmakers’ agenda and the politics driving it.

Editor’s Picks

House GOP Aims to Pass Stopgap Funding Into Trump’s Term

House Republican leaders expect to fund the government into March to allow a likely GOP trifecta to make its mark on government spending.

Former Lawmakers Spread Leftover Funds to Expand Lobbying Edge

Many lawmakers who left the 117th Congress tapped their leftover political money to make contributions this election cycle as they settled into new lobbying and advocacy roles, and those set to depart next may do the same, a Bloomberg Government analysis found.

$136 Billion in Federal Contracts Go to Incoming Lawmakers

First-term House lawmakers in the upcoming 119th Congress will lead districts that together were the destination for nearly one of every five federal contract dollars in fiscal 2023, an exclusive Bloomberg Government analysis found.

GOP Wins Signal Changes to SALT Cap and to State Workarounds

States may need to rethink their state and local tax deduction workarounds now that Donald Trump’s return to the White House and Republican control of the Senate is making an increase—or possibly full removal—of the $10,000 SALT cap more likely in 2025.

Republicans Vie for Leadership of Powerful House E&C Committee

Whoever wins the position will exert significant influence over health care policy during the 119th Congress, following calls from House leadership to overhaul the Affordable Care Act.

10 House Newcomers to Know as Freshmen Orientation Begins

Roughly 60 House freshmen for the 119th Congress are heading to Capitol Hill for orientation.

They’ll be in town the next two weeks to learn the legislative ropes and, perhaps more importantly, network as they seek to land plum committee seats, build alliances, and hire new staffs.

Lawmakers to Watch: Maeve Sheehey combed through the freshman class list and flagged some incoming lawmakers to watch — including a leading conservative state attorney general, the first transgender person in Congress, and an Army veteran who had a role in Trump’s first impeachment. Read More

Latest on the Battle for the House

House Republicans are on the brink of clinching unified GOP control over Washington under Trump, awaiting wins in just a few of the chamber’s remaining uncalled races. Read More

Democrats did pick up one seat they had been trying to take for several cycles: Former Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides was declared the winner against Rep. Mike Garcia in California’s 27th District. Read More

• For maps showing the latest election results for the White House, House, and Senate: Read More
• To get the latest election stories on BGOV‘s election news hub: Read More
• Check out the database of newly-elected members: Read More
• For a running list of defeated incumbents: Read More

Your Guide to Trump’s Day-One Agenda

Donald Trump is positioned to move swiftly on core economic priorities like raising tariffs, cutting taxes and cracking down on undocumented migrants.

Immigration: Trump regularly declared he would launch the “largest deportation effort in American history” targeting undocumented migrants, which would immediately hit economic sectors including construction, hospitality and retail that rely heavily on migrants.

He can order the deportation program on his own authority and the obstacles are primarily logistical — like finding facilities to place detainees.

Taxes: Many of the provisions from the Republicans’ 2017 tax bill expire at the end of next year and Trump is looking to extend all of the personal income tax cuts, as well as further reducing the corporate tax rate.

Trump’s plan depends on congressional approval. But Republicans are closing in on unified control of Washington, with at least 53 GOP senators and party leaders increasingly confident they will maintain their slim majority in the House.

Tariffs: Trump vowed to impose massive new tariffs, eyeing a duty of 20% on all foreign goods and 60% or higher on goods coming from China. He faces relatively few constraints in imposing his promised tariffs and doesn’t need to consult Congress.

The Fed: Trump’s economic agenda could spur both growth and inflation. Investors responded by dumping US Treasury bonds, prompting economists to rethink their expectations for how quickly the Fed will lower interest rates in 2025. Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank won’t alter its outlook for rates in anticipation of new fiscal or trade policies, and will wait to see what’s actually enacted.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Trump tried to remove Powell, a move that would likely end up in the courts. Read More

More on Trump’s Appointment Picks

Trump Turns to Allies on Capitol Hill to Fill Top Cabinet Posts

President-elect Donald Trumpis raiding the House of Representatives as he stocks his cabinet, threatening to cut into what’s likely to be a razor-thin majority for Speaker Mike Johnson in the early days of his new administration.

Here Are the People Trump Is Naming to Key Roles in Second Term

President-elect Donald Trump has started to choose the people he wants to carry out his “America First” policies on the border, trade, the economy and more.

Trump Expected to Choose Marco Rubio as Next Secretary of State

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to name Marco Rubio as secretary of state, a person familiar with the matter said Monday night, granting a top job in his second administration to a one-time rival who later became one of his most ardent supporters in the Senate.

Trump Is Set to Elevate China Hawks, Deepening Beijing Rift

US President-elect Donald Trump is poised to pick two men with track records of harshly criticizing China for key posts in his administration, a sign ties between the superpowers may deteriorate further in coming years.

Trump Picks Former Congressman Lee Zeldin to Lead the EPA

President-elect Donald Trump has selected New York congressman Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, placing the Long Island Republican in charge of his plans to boost energy production and curb regulations.

Trump Picks Kristi Noem to Lead Homeland Security, CNN Reports

Donald Trump is tapping South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to head the Department of Homeland Security, CNN said, selecting a loyalist once seen as a potential vice presidential candidate for a job that includes securing the US border and carrying out a promised mass deportation.

Stefanik to UN Post Would Trigger New York Special Election

Rep. Elise Stefanik would vacate her House seat and trigger a special election if the New York Republican is confirmed as President-elect Donald Trump’s US ambassador to the United Nations.

Farley, Champ Among Candidates to Succeed Gensler as SEC Chair

Richard Farley, a partner at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, and Kirkland & Ellis partner Norm Champare among contenders to replace Gary Gensler as chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Trump Picks Combat Vet Waltz as National Security Advisor

President-elect Donald Trump picked Florida congressman Mike Waltz as his national security advisor, a person familiar with the matter said, elevating the former Army Green Beret and combat veteran to become one his closest aides.

What Else We’re Reading

Disasters Test US Infrastructure as Emergency Money Runs Low

Disasters toppling highways and bridges are straining a federal emergency infrastructure fund with an annual baseline Congress hasn’t boosted in more than 50 years.

Ukrainian Climate Group Seeks Tougher Energy Sanctions on Russia

Ramping up international sanctions on Russia’s still-powerful fossil fuel industry would help lower global greenhouse gas emissions and restrict the country’s main source of revenue in waging war against Ukraine, an analysis from a Ukrainian climate advocacy group found.

States Embrace Climate Leadership as Trump Heads to White House

States and cities are armoring up for increased climate responsibility as they face another four years of expected environmental rollbacks under a second Trump administration.

Trump-Shaped Supreme Court Emerges as One of Few Checks on Power

A US Supreme Court transformed by Donald Trump now sits as one of the few potential checks on his authority as he returns to the White House.

Climate Skeptics Urge Trump to Boost Coal, Gut Federal Science

Activists who dispute the severity of climate change enjoyed cachet in Donald Trump’s first administration and salivated over the prospect of his return to the White House. Now that he’s won, they’ve delivered a wish list to his transition team.

Trump Tariff Plans Expected to Deliver High Drama, Bumpy Rollout

While Trump loves tariffs, he’s been less enthusiastic about the national security arguments for limiting trade than his advisers, many of whom see corralling China as the urgent task of our times.